Decking for boats.



Patented Nov. 7, I899.

R. B. HAMEL.

DEGKING FOB BOATS.

(No Model.)

INVENTOR RICH/7RD. R l/HMIL HTML 88%: 4;

w ifim ATTORNEYS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD B. HAMEL, 0F BELLPORT, NEW YORK.

DECKiNG FGR BQATS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 686,382, dated November 7', 1899. Application filed July 19, 1899. Serial No. 724,429, (No model.)

To (oZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, RICHARD B. HAMEL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bellport, in the county of Suffolk and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvementin Deckings, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which the figure is a side elevation of a boat provided with my new decking.

My invention relates to deckings or coverings for boats in which the deck is or may be submerged either wholly or partially, as desired. A familiar example of such a boat is the ordinary submarine torpedo-boat.

The object of my invention is to provide a means for rendering the movements of such boats imperceptible when traveling partially submerged.

My invention consists in the decking and in the combinations hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawing illustrating the principle of my invention and the best mode now known to me of applying that principle, 1) is a submarine boat provided with a decking A. The decking A is made up of mirrors, which are preferably convex outward and may be formed with ridges or corrugations on their outer surface. The mirrors are suitably joined together to form the decking, and the decking is secured to the boat in any one of the many appropriate modes known to those skilled in the art. The decking is provided with openings A, in which are inserted the upper ends of the pipes E. A suitable pump 13 of the ordinary construction is connected with an opening (notshown) in the side of the boat and is also connected with the main pipe 13. The main pipe B is connected with the system of pipes E. The construction of this pumping apparatus and system of dis tributing-pipes will be readily understood by those skilled in the art and will therefore not be further detailed.

The operation is as follows: When the movement of the boat is to be concealed, the boat is given the required degree of submergence. The pump B is next set in operation and water is forced through the pipes E and out of the openings A. The water flows over the decking,and the reflecting-surface of the decking gives to the water an appearance very closely resembling that of ripples on the surface of the ocean. The surface of the deck ing is thereby made to blend with the surface of the surrounding water in appearance, so as to conceal the boat most effectually.

The advantage is obvious. The boat is enabled to move without being seen and to approach the enemy within sure striking distance. Even if discovered, the boat will be indistinct, and therefore will be a very poor target for the enemy.

What I claim is- 1. As a new article of manufacture, a decking for boats and other vessels made up of corrugated reflectors designed to reflect the light outwardly.

2. In a vessel the combination of a decking for boats and other vessels made up of reflectors designed to reflect the li ht outwardly, with a pumping mechanism adapted to force water outwardly over the decking.

3. In a vessel, the combination of a decking for boats and other vessels made up of corrugated reflectors designed to reflect the light outwardly, with a pumping mechanism adapted to force water outwardly over the decking.

RICHARD B. HAMEL.

Witnesses;

JOHN B. ROBINSON, DANIEL Perry. 

